Menerbes
We are off to an ancient, medieval village perched on a hilltop. Some may call it a cliff top. You decide. First, we have to check out of Sete. After a typical continental breakfast (so big that you don't need lunch) we made our way to the car park beneath the hotel. What excitement! Lots of people speaking in French but clearly wanting to know if we owned the car that had just been grazed by another car. Everybody was standing around deliberating as to how one should extract the now stuck car from the other without further damage. One particularly large gentleman, dressed in a suit (remember it's Samedi morning,) recommended that all of the men should assist by lifting the driverless, parked, car and so allow the driver at fault to extricate his car safely. To add to the dilemma! A linen delivery truck entered the narrow street and blocked our exit. Much gesturing. Stephen and two other gents attempted to lift and turn the unattended car. Each able bodied man gave it his all but sadly the cars were deeply entangled. The linen truck reversed, a bystander directed Stephen's passage
and we were gladly on our way to Menerbes. Not sure about the outcome of the entrapped cars but it is fair to say that no parking space in France accommodates many cars larger than a Smart car. There but be a proverbial manner in which to express this situation. However, I digress. On the road again via several peage stations. At the last peage booth I had the correct coinage. First time since arriving in France. Cheaper today. The dearest peage we've paid so far was over 20 Euros. More about Menerbes. Where you ask is Menerbes? Menerbes is in Provence which is in the southern end of France. NavMan guided us to the Menerbes' public car park provided us with a refuge until we navigated the narrow (breathe in narrow; AKA wind in the car's mirrors) roads to the apartment. Another vital diversion was the local restaurant since check in was not until 4:00. Mmmm, great views overlooking one 
whole side of the valley and fine duck salade too. Apartment arrival was uneventful since we had walked and noted the hazards prior to turning on the car's engine. A wise strategy for those new to France. Always consider parking and orienting oneself before taking a car where no cars should go, not ever! The apartment is has its own car space (luckily.) Within the apartment there is a first and mezzanine level. Kitchen, lounge and laundry in an open plan style downstairs is exceptional in its inclusions. The upper level has the sleeping and bathroom area. Just beautiful. A balcony and a courtyard are attached. Below the courtyard and balcony and to the 
hills across the valley we see why so many are fascinated by Proven
ce. Vivaldi is playing on the music system and we've even taken a telephone call from a telemarketer who refused to accept that we didn't speak French, non comprehend and that we weren't the owner/resident. Funny thing about telemarketers is that they have the same persistence the world over. Wind is blowing with such gusto that it almost howls up the steep face of the mountainside where we are perched and the draft creeps in through the ancient glass and timber door but the church bell is chiming so I know that all is well. In the village you expect to hear the bells ring in each day. The bells ring regularly to gently remind residents that time, the rhythm and village life has schedule and order. I love the bells. Up the spiral staircase soon.
We are off to an ancient, medieval village perched on a hilltop. Some may call it a cliff top. You decide. First, we have to check out of Sete. After a typical continental breakfast (so big that you don't need lunch) we made our way to the car park beneath the hotel. What excitement! Lots of people speaking in French but clearly wanting to know if we owned the car that had just been grazed by another car. Everybody was standing around deliberating as to how one should extract the now stuck car from the other without further damage. One particularly large gentleman, dressed in a suit (remember it's Samedi morning,) recommended that all of the men should assist by lifting the driverless, parked, car and so allow the driver at fault to extricate his car safely. To add to the dilemma! A linen delivery truck entered the narrow street and blocked our exit. Much gesturing. Stephen and two other gents attempted to lift and turn the unattended car. Each able bodied man gave it his all but sadly the cars were deeply entangled. The linen truck reversed, a bystander directed Stephen's passage
and we were gladly on our way to Menerbes. Not sure about the outcome of the entrapped cars but it is fair to say that no parking space in France accommodates many cars larger than a Smart car. There but be a proverbial manner in which to express this situation. However, I digress. On the road again via several peage stations. At the last peage booth I had the correct coinage. First time since arriving in France. Cheaper today. The dearest peage we've paid so far was over 20 Euros. More about Menerbes. Where you ask is Menerbes? Menerbes is in Provence which is in the southern end of France. NavMan guided us to the Menerbes' public car park provided us with a refuge until we navigated the narrow (breathe in narrow; AKA wind in the car's mirrors) roads to the apartment. Another vital diversion was the local restaurant since check in was not until 4:00. Mmmm, great views overlooking one 
whole side of the valley and fine duck salade too. Apartment arrival was uneventful since we had walked and noted the hazards prior to turning on the car's engine. A wise strategy for those new to France. Always consider parking and orienting oneself before taking a car where no cars should go, not ever! The apartment is has its own car space (luckily.) Within the apartment there is a first and mezzanine level. Kitchen, lounge and laundry in an open plan style downstairs is exceptional in its inclusions. The upper level has the sleeping and bathroom area. Just beautiful. A balcony and a courtyard are attached. Below the courtyard and balcony and to the 
hills across the valley we see why so many are fascinated by Proven
ce. Vivaldi is playing on the music system and we've even taken a telephone call from a telemarketer who refused to accept that we didn't speak French, non comprehend and that we weren't the owner/resident. Funny thing about telemarketers is that they have the same persistence the world over. Wind is blowing with such gusto that it almost howls up the steep face of the mountainside where we are perched and the draft creeps in through the ancient glass and timber door but the church bell is chiming so I know that all is well. In the village you expect to hear the bells ring in each day. The bells ring regularly to gently remind residents that time, the rhythm and village life has schedule and order. I love the bells. Up the spiral staircase soon.
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